Runes Learned

Rune Name

Description

Understanding

Mind

The Rune of Mind in its complete form encapsulates what Mind is.

Basic

Speed

The Rune of Speed in its complete form encapsulates what Speed is.

Basic

  I figured I would start by experimenting with the runes. They seemed to require some preparation before use and I had no idea when this game or experiment might begin. When I thought of runes I got a sheet that outlay what runes I knew of. I got the feeling that I could simply learn or be taught more but that would be a personal undertaking.

  Thinking about mind I got a general idea that it could increase my mind statistic. The speed rune seemed like it could increase my agility. Though I could tell there was more to them if I could figure out what.

  Investigating my Runic Body skill I discovered that my body could only hold so many active runes. The skill allows for an automatic flow of mana through runes to activate them. The skill being at rank D allows me to inscribe two runes. The location of the runes possible is the legs, arms, chest, and head. Almost immediately I had the thought of couldn’t I inscribe my legs or arms separately?

[Runic Body Skill Increased. Rank set to D+]

  Within a closer examination of the skill, I could now see the option to inscribe differing runes onto each leg or arm or inscribe one across both. This makes a certain kind of sense. Inscribing a speed rune on one leg wouldn’t do me much good though. For one arm it might.

  I thought of the rune of speed and its symbol came to me in my inner thoughts. It looked incomplete. Increasing agility would be useful, but that isn’t all that speed is. Speed is motion, it should let me run or punch faster. Something latched onto that thought and I tried to tease it out. How would speed make me run faster, or punch faster?

  After several minutes of thought, I pushed it aside. The answer felt on the tip of my tongue but refused to come. I turned to examine the mind rune and another symbol came into focus. This one also seemed incomplete.

  Idly I wondered if the system messages were encompassed in my mind like this other knowledge. Like a library, I had to explore and find the answers. I felt a small stirring at that thought. Mentally I traced the mind rune and continued one of the incomplete whorls that left it. As I did I felt a mixture of excitement and pain akin to a tiring workout. Once the whorl was complete I was greeted with a message I expected after the previous one.

[Rune of Mind Understanding Increased. Recall Ability Unlocked.]

[Recall: User stores recently seen, or read information into their mind. The total amount of information that can be stored in this manner is limited by their Mind stat. If access to this ability is lost information stored in it will decay after one week. The stored information can be tampered with by mind-affecting abilities.]

  That seemed really useful, if not immediately applicable to my situation. I felt mentally tired though from stretching my understanding. I doubted I would get much more use out of my runic studying ability. I felt it also might be best to hold off trying to utilize the rune until after I rested. I got the idea it was possible to fail to add the rune and that adding it would be stressful after a fashion.

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  I opened my eyes from my meditation and looked around. I was surprised to see that it was starting to grow dark in this cage. Though the golden lines of it were more visible than they had been. I moved over to sit next to Ahria where she lay on the ground. She gave a grunt and opened one yellow eye to look at me.

  “Would you mind if we talked some more? I am curious about what kinds of games this Jezebel may play,” I said.

  “I don’t mind though, you should think about getting some clothes sooner than later,” she said with a chuckle. I blushed just now, really aware that I had been naked this entire time.

  “Ahh I should, how do I get some?” I asked as the blush dimmed slightly.

  “Hmm, how did I get them… Hey angel, you recall how the new people get clothes?” Ahria looked over at Nell.

Nell glared at Ahria and just as I thought she wouldn’t say anything she let out a huff and said, “Just needs to access his inventory from his status screen. Now leave me alone. I am going to sleep.” Nell glared at both of us before closing her eyes with her back against the tree.

  I looked at my status screen and I saw an inventory section I had overlooked. Cloth pants and a shirt were all that was in there. I concentrated on the pants and they appeared in my hands. Just dull brown pants, I quickly put them on and the white shirt as well. They were threadbare and boring but at least I was covered now.

  “Thanks, Nell,” I said and one of her eyes popped open with a glare, but she just gave me a curt nod and went back to rest. “Appreciate the assistance as well Ahria. Have you been here that long though?”

  Ahria thought for a moment. “Not really sure what year I entered here. Also, as I mentioned time flows inconsistently here versus the outside. Also, ghouls don’t age. I guess I have been here maybe 16 years on the inside. I had been around for about two years before Jezebel acquired me.

  “As to the games, she will play. It all depends on her mood. I expect the one we are in now is to see what will happen if she leaves the three of us alone. Undead don’t usually get along with angels or demons. Angels and demons famously get along like a house on fire.

  “I am not your normal undead, nor do you seem like a normal demon. I would hazard a guess that sleeping beauty over there is not your average angel either. I would expect this test to continue for a while with variables changing. We may have to fight something together or against each other though so that is always a possibility. With that in mind, do you mind telling me what kind of demon you are and what your class is?”

  I soaked in the words that Ahria laid out and agreed with her suspicions as to why the three of us in particular were together. No idea what Jezebel may hope to come from this. I was a bit more concerned about her other questions given her first statement that we may fight each other. I did appreciate the honesty though of her telling me that before asking.

  “I would appreciate it if you shared your class with me too. I am not a demon to my knowledge, though I think I may appear as one due to my unusual heritage. I am a Runic Adept though.” Ahria seemed dubious about my claim to not be a demon but her eyes shined when I mentioned my class.

  “Truly a Runic Adept? I wonder if she realized… oh but this gives me a chance…” Ahria slowly trailed off in thought. “To your question about my class, I am trained as an Assassin. Tell me, do you have the Inscription skill yet?”

[Knowledge of Inscription skill gained. No prior experience. Setting Rank.]

[Skill Unlocked: Inscription F-]

  “Umm I just gained it, F- in rank,” I said. Ahria winced at that but still seemed hopeful.

  “Okay, so I don’t know what runes you have but if you practice inscribing them on items instead of your body you should hopefully be able to gain knowledge of that skill. Inscription is a Crafting skill that is used to inscribe magical items which include items with dimensional spaces. If you can gain the skill you may be able to unweave the space we are in which should eject us back to the real world.”

  “Why tell me this?” I asked. “Wouldn’t you want to barter the information so I must take you with me?” Ahria laughed.

  “In this particular case no, when the enchantment is unraveled from a dimensional item everything inside is expelled safely into the nearest open space. As long as you remain in here I will be free when you do so. I can’t really train you in the skill though I only know of it second hand so you will be on your own for that.”

  “Well, that makes some sense and gives some hope for the future. Thank you for the information. For what it’s worth I hope we all make it out of here okay.” Ahria gave a small nod, she seemed about to say something more when a voice interrupted.

  “Alright my lovelies, a new experiment is about to begin,” Jezebel’s voice said with a tone of amusement. I felt a twisting sensation and found myself somewhere else.